Published May 2003
Darrington
co-generation plant in works
SCBJ
Staff
The recent expansion
and machinery upgrades at the Darrington sawmill may be followed by a
much larger power project.
National Energy Systems
Co., a Kirkland-based builder of power plants, could start construction
next year on a 15-megawatt co-generation plant that would burn wood waste
from the mill. The wood-fired furnace would produce steam for use in the
mill’s wood dryer, in addition to turning an electricity-producing turbine
and generator.
National Energy,
which goes by the name NESCO, has agreed to buy land north of the Hampton
Affiliates sawmill and is applying for a zoning change to allow the co-generation
plant.
John Rivers, project
engineer for NESCO, estimated the total cost of building the co-generation
plant, which could supply more than 9,000 households with power, at $20
million to $30 million. He said initial reaction from Darrington and Snohomish
County leaders has been positive.
Construction on the
plant could begin in 2004. Once ready to start up, it could employ more
than 25 people. The regular staff would be closer to 20, Rivers estimated.
Burning wood waste
is considered an environmentally friendly way to produce power, so he’s
sure several utilities would be attracted to buying from the plant.
Related:
Hampton invests $15 million into mill
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